LT and SF

[richardlbong]

The Euthalia monina seems to have quite a lot of variations.

Top view

Underside
After checking this is close to the Euthalia monina remias

Rapala iarbus iarbus (Common Red Flash)
Caught this female laying eggs.
Richard

[Silverstreak]

Richard,

Very nice and clear shots !

Think #3 looks more like a Rapala manea chozeba (Slate Flash)

[richardlbong]

Thanks Sunny for spotting the wrong ID. Looks like I cut and copy the wrong name from my own checklist.
Richard

[Commander]

Interesting variation of the male Malay Baron. Not a freshly eclosed one though. It's left wing tip is chipped.

I've made a sticky reference to Rapala spp from this Japanese website.

[atronox]

Cn anyone explain why male malay barons r variable while the female isn't? It's exactly opposite for other butts. I don't suppose they do it for mimicry do they?

[richardlbong]

Thanks SK for the reference.
Richard

[Painted Jezebel]

Cn anyone explain why male malay barons r variable while the female isn't? It's exactly opposite for other butts. I don't suppose they do it for mimicry do they?

Regretably, Aaron, I think the answer is No. It is definately not mimicry (what would they be copying, and why?). I can't think of any other species where the male has so many differing forms, and none of my books give any clue as to why.

I currently have found four differing male forms on Samui, the three named ones, f. monina, f. gardineri and f. decorata, and one other unnamed form, which differs again from the one posted by Richard above.

281

[atronox]

Regretably, Aaron, I think the answer is No. It is definitely not mimicry (what would they my copying, and why?). I can't think of any other species where the male has so many differing forms, and none of my books give any clue as to why.

Do they do it for courtship then?

I currently have found four differing male forms on Samui, the three named ones, f. monina, f. gardineri and f. decorata, and one other unnamed form, which differs again from the one posted by Richard above.

281

R they the intermediate ones?

[Painted Jezebel]

Can not see why for courtship. The crux of the matter is that I don't believe anyone actualy knows why at the moment, so it is pointless guessing. If you want to research the matter, please do.

There are many intermediate forms.

[atronox]

Can not see why for courtship. The crux of the matter is that I don't believe anyone actualy knows why at the moment, so it is pointless guessing. If you want to research the matter, please do.

There are many intermediate forms.

Ok. Never knew that we didn't understand them completely.